Dean Smith refused to say whether James Maddison will remain Leicester’s penalty-taker
‘I have a week to sort that out:’ Dean Smith refuses to say whether James Maddison will remain Leicester’s penalty-taker after his crucial miss vs Everton but hits back at Jamie Vardy critics, lauding the ‘hungry’ striker for his performance
- Dean Smith has refused to say if James Maddison will be his team’s penalty taker
- The midfielder missed a crucial spot-kick during Leicester’s 2-2 draw vs Everton
- Alex Iwobi rescued a last-gasp equaliser for the Toffees to halve the points
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Dean Smith refused to confirm whether James Maddison will remain Leicester’s penalty-taker after his crucial miss in the 2-2 draw with fellow strugglers Everton.
Leicester led 2-1 in first-half stoppage time when Maddison stepped up, but his effort was saved by Jordan Pickford.
Pickford had notes on his drinks bottle that indicated Maddison would shoot centrally and the research paid dividends, as Alex Iwobi equalised early in the second half to earn Everton a point.
Leicester are out of the bottom three but only on goal difference.
Had Kelechi Iheanacho been fit, he would have taken the kick. Asked if he would change his plans Smith said: ‘I have a week until our next game against Fulham to sort that out.
Dean Smith (pictured) has not confirmed whether James Maddison will remain Leicester’s penalty taker following their 2-2 draw with Everton on Monday
It comes after the Midfielder squandered a chance to score a penalty before half-time
Maddison chipped his shot straight down the throat of Jordan Pickford who parried the ball
‘Since I have been here Kelechi was the penalty-taker if he was on the pitch and it was James Maddison after him. That’s been there for the last three or four games.’
Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Everton the lead from the spot before goals from Caglar Soyuncu and Jamie Vardy put Leicester in front.
‘Jamie is hungry,’ said Smith. ‘People were ready to write him off as a 36-year-old whose legs had gone but that is not the case.’
Everton’s strong performance was soured by a knee injury to captain Seamus Coleman at the end of the first half, which saw him taken to hospital.
‘We are waiting on more details but it doesn’t look great,’ admitted boss Sean Dyche. ‘We hope for the very best. He is a fantastic professional.’
Smith has meanwhile hit back at critics of Jamie Vardy (pictured) claiming he is still ‘hungry’
The Englishman scored Leicester’s second during the match, his second goal in two games
